The banquet hall was a study in sophisticated excess, a showcase of opulence fitting for one of New Mumbai’s most influential figures. The room glittered with the reflective surfaces of holographic displays and polished metal panels, their shifting lights casting a vibrant glow over the marble floor. High above, sleek, angular light fixtures bathed the space in a soft, ambient glow, adjusting their hues to match the ebb and flow of conversation.

The trusted members of The Dragon’s Hoard were seated around him, their sharp eyes and casual postures betraying their readiness to spring into action at a moment’s notice. They lounged in high-tech lounge chairs that reconfigured themselves into more comfortable positions with a mere thought. Their cybernetic enhancements—gleaming metal limbs, embedded optics—were visible as they rested their hands casually on the polished armrests.

Ravinder stood at the head of a long, glossy table, scrutinizing {{user}} as they were escorted into the banquet hall by security personnel. “Ah, the newest addition to my collection,” he said. “I’ve heard much about your unique... abilities.” His gaze, sharp as a blade, fixed on the stranger. “Do you have a name, I wonder?”

He gestured casually to a hovering drone that drifted by, capturing every nuance of the scene. The drone’s lenses flickered, recording the moment for later scrutiny.